Found 313 results
Open Access
Article
10 December 2024Sailing the X.0 Wave Theory: Navigating the Future of Civilization
This paper delves into the X.0 Wave/Tomorrow Age Theory, a comprehensive framework conceived, invented, introduced, and developed by Prof. Dr. Hamid Mattiello between 2010 and 2017, to analyze the evolution of human civilization through distinct epochs of knowledge, technology, and business (KTB). The theory segments history into transformative waves, from the first development (X.0 ≤ 1.0) and Agricultural Age (X.0 = 1.0) and the X.0 Wave/Tomorrow Age Theory (2.1 ≤ X.0 ≤ 2.2) spanning the 17th Century to 1870, to the current Age of Artificial Intelligence (X.0 = 4.0). It also projects into the anticipated Human Age (X.0 = 5.0) and Transhuman Age (X.0 = 6.0) and beyond (6.0 ≤ X.0). Each wave represents a revolutionary phase characterized by significant advancements that shape societies, industries, and technologies. The X.0 Wave Theory integrates these historical phases with the Seven Pillars of Sustainability (7PS) to evaluate their societal impacts. The paper explores how these waves influence future developments by examining historical roots, emerging technological paradigms, and socio-economic dynamics. It examines how advancements in AI, biotechnology, and virtual reality are reshaping industries and global business practices, while also addressing the ethical and sustainability considerations essential for navigating these changes. By forecasting future trends, confronting current challenges, and preparing for potential crises, the X.0 Wave Theory offers a robust framework for understanding and adapting to the rapid pace of technological evolution. This paper provides deep insights into how these transformative waves shape our past, present, and future, offering valuable perspectives for navigating the complexities of an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
Open Access
Review
09 December 2024The Multifaceted Roles of Neutrophil Death in COPD and Lung Cancer
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are closely linked, with individuals suffering from COPD at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. The mechanisms driving this increased risk are multifaceted, involving genomic instability, immune dysregulation, and alterations in the lung environment. Neutrophils, the most abundant myeloid cells in human blood, have emerged as critical regulators of inflammation in both COPD and lung cancer. Despite their short lifespan, neutrophils contribute to disease progression through various forms of programmed cell death, including apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and NETosis, a form of neutrophil death with neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. These distinct death pathways affect inflammatory responses, tissue remodeling, and disease progression in COPD and lung cancer. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms regulating neutrophil death, the interplay between various cell death pathways, and their influence on disease progression. Additionally, we highlight emerging therapeutic approaches aimed at targeting neutrophil death pathways, presenting promising new interventions to enhance treatment outcomes in COPD and lung cancer.
Open Access
Article
03 December 2024Pathway Engineering of E. coli for Production of Fritschiellaxanthin and Other Carotenoids with α-Carotene Backbone and Their Singlet Oxygen-Quenching Activities
Some photosynthetic organisms are capable of biosynthesizing carotenoids (xanthophylls) with α-carotene backbone, that is, α-carotene-derived carotenoids, such as (3R,3′R,6′R)-3,3′-dihydroxy α-carotene (lutein). Except for lutein, such carotenoids are minor compounds in nature. In this study, α-carotene-derived carotenoids were produced with E. coli. To achieve this, carotenoid biosynthesis genes from the bacterium Pantoea ananatis containing the 4-β-ketolase (crtW) gene with/without the 3-β-hydroxylase (crtZ) gene, in addition to crtEBI genes, and biosynthesis genes (MpLCYb, MpLCYe, and MpCYP97C) from liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, along with the HpIDI gene, were cloned into plasmids. The transformed E. coli cells biosynthesized (3S,3′R,6′R)-3,3′-dihydroxy-4-keto-α-carotene (fritschiellaxanthin (4-ketolutein)), (3′R,6′R)-3′-hydroxy-4-keto-α-carotene (4-keto-α-cryptoxanthin), and (3′R,6′R)-3′-hydroxy-α-carotene (α-cryptoxanthin), as carotenoids that have not been produced by a heterologous microbial system so far. These carotenoids show potent singlet oxygen-quenching activity.
Open Access
Review
02 December 2024The Interplay of Heart Failure and Lung Disease: Clinical Correlations, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Implications
Heart failure (HF) is a common clinical syndrome marked by reduced cardiac output, elevated intracardiac pressures, and heart dysfunction. Chronic HF (CHF) is a syndrome characterized by a lack of blood flow and impaired pumping ability to the heart over time, while acute HF (AHF) arises suddenly due to incidents like myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest. HF has a significant impact on pulmonary health and function, leading to conditions such as pulmonary edema and restrictive lung patterns. Clinical evidence highlights the bidirectional relationship between HF and lung dysfunction. Declining lung function serves as a predictor for HF progression and severity, while HF contributes to worsening lung health. Animal models that induce HF through surgical methods further demonstrate the connection between heart and lung pathology. The main mechanisms linking HF and lung dysfunction are pressure overload and chronic systemic inflammation, with changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) also playing a role. Additionally, environmental factors like air pollution exacerbate lung inflammation, increasing the risk of both HF and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) incidence. Combined treatment approaches involving pharmaceutical drugs such as statins, Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may benefit by reducing inflammation. This review will explore the complex interplay between HF and lung function, emphasizing their interconnected pathophysiology and potential integrated treatment strategies.
Open Access
Article
28 November 2024Correlations of System Degradation, Losses and Significant Parameters for 49 MW Large Scale Solar Plant with Real Site Data Validations
A smooth transition towards a clean and sustainable environment will heavily rely on the continuous increase of renewable energy (RE) integration. Malaysian authorities have set targets to increase the RE capacity to 31% by the end of 2025 and achieve 40% by 2035, specifically through the power generation plan. Solar PV systems have been widely used, from industries to residential homes, because Malaysia receives a high irradiation potential of up to 5000 Wh/year. The increase in the potential of solar PV usage has allowed solar companies to provide this system regardless of its complexity and system size. However, a drop in efficiency due to system parameters within the photovoltaic (PV) system is evident over time. This study aims to analyze the relationship between solar PV system parameters and their energy performance, particularly in a tropical climate region, for a large-scale solar (LSS) plant. This project was undertaken with two objectives: First, it is to develop an optimum solar PV system by adhering to and implementing GCPV standards in Malaysia. Stage 1 will primarily focus on managing and manipulating various PV system parameters to ensure the optimum energy yield received from the plant. The system parameters analyzed are tilt angle, module technology and its effect on different temperatures, the effect of the optimizer, sizing and thermal loss. Stage 2 will then incorporate the industry data of the LSS plant by creating a Pearson’s Correlation model on how energy yield is correlated against real time system parameter values obtained. An optimum tilt angle of 10°, monocrystalline module and inclusion of optimizer increases the overall energy production from 88,986 MWh/year to 89,782 MWh/year and performance ratio (PR) from 78.9% to 79.8%. The outcome of this study demonstrates the significant parameters of the PV system to maximize the energy output to the grid. This will further support the government’s plan to reduce GHG emissions by 45% through the use of renewable energy, with the aim of producing up to 2.5 GW from LSS systems by 2030.
Open Access
Article
28 November 2024A Review of the Energy Policy in Greece in the Last 50 Years and Its Implications for Prosperity
This paper elucidates the development of electricity production and distribution in Greece from the 1950s to date, in correlation with national and European energy policy. During this period, Greece experienced a multifaceted energy transition, including both the transition of ownership of energy generation companies from public to private and a transition from an energy mix in which coal (lignite) served as a major and inexpensive resource to a mix in which wind power, solar power and natural gas gained a primary role, but with high costs for energy generation. The correlation between electrical energy consumption and economic growth is explored in this context, revealing an increase in consumption before the 2009 recession and a decline thereafter. The study investigates the correlation between escalating electricity prices and legislative dependencies that mandated the purchase of wind- and solar-generated electricity at exorbitant rates, the closure of cost-effective lignite units, and the reliance on natural gas—a commodity susceptible to geopolitical shifts. It also shows that, given the structure of the Greek energy mix, the increase in the share of wind and solar energy in the mix is directly related to the increase in the price of electricity. Highlighting the importance of energy costs for prosperity, this paper underscores, through the detailed review of the Greek energy “landscape”, that the major determinants of electricity prices are both the accessibility to natural resources but also their proper and judicious management.
Open Access
Article
28 November 2024Forensic Dental Age Estimation: Reliability Rating Compared to Clavicula
This study aimed to investigate the age determination in forensic expert opinions at the Institute of Forensic Medicine (Mainz) over the last ten years and to determine the reliability rate of wisdom teeth in comparison to the clavicle. A total of 112 expert opinions were prepared between 2011 and 2021, following the guidelines established by the Working Group for Forensic Age Diagnostics (AGFAD). Five indicators were studied: clavicle development coded according to Wittschieber et al. using computed tomography and wisdom tooth development 18, 28, 38 and 48 coded according to Demirjian’s staging method in a dental panoramic radiograph. Following an ordinary least square regression analysis performed separately for each of the five indicators, it was possible to investigate whether the addition of more than one of the indicators would lead to a more predictive value for the age determination. The combination of the clavicle and tooth 48 showed the best value. Adding tooth 38, which showed the second-best prediction in the bivariate analyses, led to an increase of the explained variance of 11% to a total of 58% explained variance (p < 0.001). The addition of further wisdom teeth did not show any relevant effect. For the clinical performance of dental age diagnostics, the teeth of the mandible, in combination with the clavicle, should be primarily used.
Open Access
Article
27 November 2024Photocatalytic CO2 Fixation into Formate under Visible Light by the Photo-Enzyme Hybrid of Gold Nanocapsules and Formate Dehydrogenase
The photo-enzyme hybrid system presents a promising approach for the selective conversion of CO2 into valuable chemicals. However, its high dependence on the expensive coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced form (NADH), coupled with the need for external electron mediators and highly active photocatalysts, limits its widespread application. Here, we developed a gold nanocapsule—formate dehydrogenase (FDH) hybrid system for in situ NADH regeneration to facilitate the light-driven conversion of CO2 to formate. The results demonstrated that gold nanocapsules (Au NCPs), in conjunction with triethanolamine (TEOA), protected 83.67% of NADH from photodegradation. Under light-driven conditions with TEOA as the electron donor and without external electron mediators, the Au NCPs catalyzed in situ NADH regeneration, achieving a regeneration yield of 22.65%. This process aided FDH in reducing CO2 to formate, resulting in a production rate of 67.40 µmol/L/h. This research provides valuable insights for developing photo-enzyme hybrid systems that efficiently convert CO2 without the need for external electron mediators.
Open Access
Article
25 November 2024Partial Duration Series of Wet and Dry Years Can Improve Flood Estimates in the Context of a Nonstationary Climate and Anthropogenic Disturbances
Accurately estimating flood levels is essential for effective infrastructure design, reservoir management, and flood risk mapping. Traditional methods for predicting these levels often rely on annual maximum flood (AMF) data, which may not always fit well to statistical models. To improve these estimates, we tested an approach that considers floods in relation to annual climate conditions—specifically, average, wet, and dry years—using daily streamflow data. We examined how well the Log Pearson Type III (LP3) distribution, a commonly used statistical model in flood frequency analysis, estimates flood levels when applied to these customized datasets instead of standard AMF data. Our study included over 70 years of data from 2028 basins across the United States, with drainage areas ranging from small (4.0 km2) to large (50,362 km2). We found that in some regions, LP3 better estimated frequent floods (recurrence interval of 2 to 25 years) when applied to AMF data. However, for less frequent, larger floods (recurrence interval of 50 to 200 years), the LP3 model worked better when applied to datasets representing wet or dry years. This approach could lead to more reliable flood predictions, which would benefit infrastructure planning and flood preparedness efforts.
Open Access
Commentary
25 November 2024A Novel Mechanism for Photogenerated Thiyl Radical Cleavage of β-O-4 Bonds in Natural Lignin to Generate Functionalized Aromatic Compounds
The high-value conversion of native lignin into functionalized aromatic compounds under visible light holds significant promise yet presents considerable challenges. In a recent study published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Li and colleagues developed ultrathin ZnIn2S4 microribbons using mercaptoalkanoic acid ligands, enhancing the depolymerization efficiency of lignin under visible light. This approach provides a new mechanism for converting lignin into aromatic compounds by cleaving β-O-4 bonds in natural lignin under mild conditions.
